How to Season a Turkey if You Want the Most Flavorful Bird
Say goodbye to dry turkey breast!
If you're on deck to cook the star of Thanksgiving dinner, it can be a lot of pressure. After all, no one wants a bland turkey. There's no need to worry because we're here with all the information you need on how to season a turkey. There are plenty of ways to get a juicy bird, from dry brining to infusing your butter with spices and slathering it all over. These methods ensure a flavorful Thanksgiving meal that will get rave reviews from your family and friends.
If it's your first time cooking turkey for Thanksgiving, bookmark the step-by-step guide from our Test Kitchen experts on how to prepare a turkey for Thanksgiving. Be sure you read up on the best temperature for cooking a turkey and whether or not your turkey needs to be rinsed before you cook it. We also have plenty of info on how much turkey you need per person so you have enough for everyone. Once you're feeling prepared, check out our roundup of Thanksgiving turkey recipes to find one you love.
Looking for more Thanksgiving dinner inspiration? Be sure to check out our collections of Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes and Thanksgiving desserts to round out your menu.
Dry brine your bird — it’s simple!
Our #1 pro tip for a well-seasoned turkey? The all-important (and super easy!) dry brine. This tested and perfected method delivers maximum flavor, juicier meat and the crispiest skin. It's just three simple steps:
- Rub herbs and 2 Tbsp kosher salt all over the turkey
- Pop it in a plastic bag
- Refrigerate
You can dry brine your turkey the night before or as far in advance as two days.
Switch up the spices
Take your bird from blah to "bam!" with spices. Try a Cajun-style turkey rub inspired by bold NOLA flavors or look to the south of France with a fragrant herbes de Provence turkey rub.
Slather seasoning everywhere with butter
In addition to sprinkling salt on the surface of the turkey, give your bird a big flavor boost by seasoning under the turkey's skin, too. Stir your favorite spices and herbs into softened butter, then rub it all over the turkey and under the skin.
Try a combo of lime zest with cumin and coriander, or something more traditional like fresh parsley, sage and rosemary folded into the butter. Not only does this help season the bird, but it also makes the meat extra juicy.
Layer on big flavor with a glaze and bacon
Glazes are a great way to add a subtle sweetness to your turkey and make it shine like a baby grand piano. Stir together maple syrup, orange juice and fresh sage, brushing most of the glaze on before roasting and saving some to lacquer the bird once it’s out of the oven.
Or for a serious showstopper, consider a bacon-wrapped turkey. Lay slices of bacon over the turkey breast before roasting, securing the ends with toothpicks so they don’t curl. Brush the bacon with glaze before roasting, and once more after it's done. Trust — no one can resist a bacon-wrapped bird.
Skip the stuffing and go for fresh herbs
A more flavorful alt to stuffing: Fill up the turkey cavity with herbs and aromatics. The conventional method of packing your bird with bread cubes inevitably turns them soggy (we prefer a crispy-topped stuffing baked on the side). Stuffing the turkey with fresh herb sprigs, lemon halves, shallots and smashed garlic cloves will lend tons of flavor with zero mush.
Go for the garnish
Not just for creating a pretty platter, garnishes can offer complementary or contrasting flavors to accompany your well-seasoned bird. Try roasted pears for extra juiciness or caramelized winter vegetables for earthy sweetness. Small, sweet champagne grapes are also fun to munch on in between bites of savory turkey.
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